Implement free service

THE people of Western Highlands should by now be receiving free primary health care services at health facilities in the province, an official says.
The Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority in a circular to all health facilities in the province dated March 17 instructed that effective immediately, the Government’s free health care policy be implemented.
Chief executive officer Dr James Kintwa said last Thursday the Government had issued a directive for primary health care services to be provided free of charge.
And as a Government agency, the authority was required to implement it.
Kintwa said the Government had made available funds to all health agencies last year to implement this policy and the authority was now using it to provide free treatment for primary health services such as coughs, headaches and fever.
He said however that not all services would be free. Patients would still pay for advanced services such as surgical operations. They will pay between 50% and 75% of the cost.
He said while it was good to provide free health services, it did not make people feel responsible for their health. “When you pay for your health, you appreciate it and when you don’t pay, you do not appreciate it,” he said.
“People must be responsible for their own health and should pay.
“When they know that it will cost them something to keep themselves healthy, they will look after themselves and avoid getting sick.
“We must all share the responsibility for our health.” as nothing is free.”